One woman’s secret is another woman’s power. One woman’s fear is another woman’s weapon. One woman’s life is in another woman’s hands….|Dec. 25, 2006|United Kingdom|92 Min.|R
Genre: Drama;Romance
Description: Barbara Covett, a history teacher in a London comprehensive school, is close to retirement and has never married. She looks down on her students and colleagues, finding solace only in her diary. When Sheba Hart, a new art teacher, joins the staff, Barbara is instantly drawn to her. Sheba, married to an older man named Richard, is returning to work after focusing on raising her special needs child.
Barbara later discovers Sheba in a compromising situation with a 15-year-old student, Steven Connolly. Confronting Sheba, Barbara learns the details of their affair. Sheba pleads with Barbara to keep it secret until after Christmas, wanting to spend the holiday with her family. Barbara agrees, on the condition that Sheba ends the relationship immediately, but secretly plans to use the situation to control Sheba.
Despite her promise, Sheba struggles to cut ties with Steven. When she resists Barbara’s manipulative demands, Barbara exposes the affair to another teacher. The scandal becomes public, leading to both Sheba and Barbara’s dismissal after the school uncovers Barbara’s history of stalking a former colleague.
Cast director: Richard Eyre
Cast actor: Judi Dench, Cate Blanchett, Michael Maloney, Joanna Scanlan, Bill Nighy, Juno Temple, Max Lewis, Andrew Simpson, Shaun Parkes, Emma Kennedy
Original name: Notes on a Scandal